Things to Do in Ooty: Enjoy the Umpteen Number of Adventurous Activities

Ooty is popularly known as the “Queen of Hill Stations” because of its stunning and jaw dropping beauty. It’s an ideal honeymoon destination for couples with its verdant greenery, picturesque views and a serene ambiance. The things to do in Ooty are perfect for people from all walks of life. Therefore, people escape to this place for some peace and quiet, and some fun and lively activities to indulge in. It’s an excellent location to take a break from your busy schedule and reconnect with nature.

Top Things to Do in Ooty: A Unique Blend of Tranquility and Thrill

It’s no secret that Ooty is one of the most sought-after destinations for tourists. Even people in India travel to this place because of its alluring and charming atmosphere. This city has everything one needs to make a vacation successful; from serene lakes to scenic viewpoints. It’s even ahead when it comes to adventure activities, such as trekking, boating, camping, and much more. So, we shall give credit where it’s due and recommend some of the unique things to do in Ooty that would stun you.

1. Travel in the Nilgiri Mountain Toy Train
2. Go Boating in the Ooty Lake
3. Witness a Panoramic View from the Dolphin’s Nose
4. Marvel at the St. Stephens Church
5. Camp at Avalanche Lake
6. Spend Time at Kalhatti Falls
7. Explore the Thread Garden
8. Go for Safari at Mudumalai National Park
9. Stop By the Pine Tree Forests
10. Enjoy the Kotagiri Trek

1. Travel in the Nilgiri Mountain Toy Train: One of the Top Attractions in Ooty

The Nilgiri Mountain Toy Train is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which travels 46 km. and offers the most magnificent views to the travelers. You’ll come across gorgeous hills, bridges, lush greenery, and a lot more that would make this experience worthwhile. Its major charm stems from seeing nature at its finest. It’s also a fun way to look over the city and its beauty. This Ooty toy train has been functional since 1899 and its latest X-class locomotive is 50 years old. Traveling on this train is among the most popular things to do in Ooty.

Timings:

From Mettupalayam to Ooty- 7:10 A.M to 12 P.M

From Ooty to Mettupalayam – 2 P.M to 5:35 P.M

Fee: Around INR 150

Duration: Approx. 5 to 6 hours

Start and End Point: Mettupalayam to Ooty

Distance from Ooty: Around 2 km.

Ideal for: Families, couples, group of travelers

Tips: Don’t litter the train, book your tickets in advance, use a washroom before boarding as there aren’t any washrooms in the train

Nearby hotels: Teanest, Gateway Coonoor, Orchid Square

Nearby restaurants: Rose Mary, Café Diem, Open Kitchen

How to reach: You can hire a taxi, cab, or auto rickshaw to reach this station

2. Go Boating in the Ooty Lake: A Fun-Filled Leisure Activity

Boating is quite a relaxing activity that one must indulge in wherever they go. There’s a soothing element in boating that you’ll understand only when you experience it. Surrounded by rich greenery on all sides, the calm blue water of the lake, and the local attractions of the city. They all add up to create a memorable experience for you and your loved ones. Photography enthusiasts would find several chances to click glorious pictures and nature lovers can indulge in bird watching. It's one of the things to do in Ooty in December for an enchanting feel.

Timings: 9 A.M to 6 P.M

Fee:

For Indians - Around INR 10

For Foreigners – Around INR 600

Duration: Approx. 3 to 4 hours

Distance from Ooty: Around 2 km.

Ideal for: Families, couples

Tips: Keep children away from the boat’s edge

Nearby hotels: Hotel Darshan, Savoy, Hotel Lakeview

Nearby restaurants: Bollywood Café, Trident Haveli Restaurant, Lazy Mongoose

How to reach: You can either take a bus or a cab to reach here

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3. Witness a Panoramic View from the Dolphin’s Nose: An Escape to the Soothing Hills

This romantic hilltop is named The Dolphin’s Nose because its peak resembles the nose of a Dolphin. It’s a major attraction and visiting the top of the hill is quite a thrilling adventure in Ooty. The panoramic view of the tea plantations and the misty hills covered with clouds would mesmerize you. This less crowded tourist spot is situated 1550 m. above sea level and gives you a break from the bustling city life. It’s truly a place where you can hear your thoughts and enjoy some peaceful downtime.

Timings: 9 A.M to 6 P.M

Fee: Around INR 15

Duration: Approx. 1 hour

Distance from Ooty: Around 30 km.

Ideal for: Couples, families

Local attractions: Nilgiri Hills, Catherine Waterfall, Tiger Hills, Lamb’s Rock, Kotagiri

Nearby hotels: Garuda Park Resort, Neemrana’s Wallwood Garden, Kurumba Village Resort

Nearby restaurants: The Culinarium, Café Diem, Silvertip Cafe

How to reach: A taxi or a bus is a convenient option to reach here

4. Marvel at the St. Stephen’s Church: Seek Blessings at the Oldest Church in Ooty

St. Stephen’s Church was built during the British rule, around 200 years ago, and it has maintained its grandeur and glory till today. People of all religions can visit this church and soak in the spiritual vibes and calm ambiance of the place that would put you at ease instantly. The splendid architecture with intricate designs and attention to detail makes this church one of the most appealing and charming places to visit in Ooty. The painting of the Last Supper is also one of the reasons for the huge tourist influx.

Timings: 10 A.M to 5 P.M

Fee: N/A

Duration: 1 to 2 hours    

Distance from the city center: Around 1. 5 km

Ideal for: Families, group of travelers, couples

Tips: Respect the culture and tradition and dress decently

Nearby hotels: Bloomrooms, Maidens Hotel, Hotel Tara Palace

Nearby restaurants: Jagjit Restaurant, Max Grille and Restaurant, Kake di Hatti

How to reach: You can reach the church via a cab or an auto rickshaw

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5. Camp at Avalanche Lake: Stay amidst the Captivating Beauty of Nature

Camping is one of the adventure activities in Ooty that you cannot miss out on. This camping site is an ethereally gorgeous one with Nilgiri hills surrounding the place from all sides, the azure water of the lake and the cloudy sky. This lake was named Avalanche because of the landslide that occurred during 1823 and this lake was formed naturally. There are several adventure activities you can indulge in, such as trekking, rafting, trout fishing, and much more. The enchanting views from here are enough to make your stay here a wonderful one.

Timings: 9 A.M to 3 P.M

Fee:

Bus Safari – Around INR 200

Jeep Safari – Around INR 2000

Distance from Ooty: Approx. 20 km

Ideal for: Solo travelers, group travelers, couples

Tips: Confirm with the office for overnight stays and visit the Emerald Lake as well

Nearby hotels: Sterling Elk Hill, Club Mahindra Derby Green, Hotel Darshan

Nearby restaurants: Ascot Multi Cuisine Restaurant, The Periodic Table, Le Cafe

How to reach: You can travel via a car or a bus till the Avalanche Checkpoint only

6. Spend Time at Kalhatti Falls: Visit the Bird Watcher’s Paradise

If you’re an avid birdwatcher or if being in the middle of nature excites you, then you must add visiting the Kalhatti Falls as one of the things to do in Ooty for couples. The mystical beauty of this place is what attracts people towards it, and you’d even come across several endemic birds here that are rare and exotic. The water cascades from a height of 400 ft. and is an essential area for nature conservation and biodiversity. The locals also believe that the water here has medicinal and healing properties. Such gorgeous locations are what make this city an excellent honeymoon destination in Asia.

Timings: October to May

Fee: N/A

Duration: 1 to 2 hours    

Distance from Ooty: Approx. 20 km

Ideal for: Families, couples

Nearby hotels: Yloo Retreat, Glyngarth Resort, Greenyards Cottages

How to reach: You can take a cab to this location

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7. Explore the Thread Garden: A Unique Attraction that is a Must Visit

As you might have guessed by the name, everything in this garden is made purely of thread. Can you imagine the amount of hard work put into every tiny detail. Fifty craftsmen work in this artificial garden, which is one of the best India tourist attractions that you’ll come across. From flowers to lawns, all the things are handmade and no machinery or a needle has been used to create the wonders. You’ll be visually delighted by all the things here, including the 150 varieties of flowers made from thread. Therefore, this place is also known as the “Millenium Miracle," and is among the things to do in Ooty.

Timings: 9 A.M to 5 P.M

Fee:

For Adults – Around INR 50

For Kids – Around INR 15

For Camera – Around INR 50

For Video Camera – Around INR 100

Duration: 1 to 2 hours  

Distance from Ooty: Approx. 1.5 km

Ideal for: Families, couples, group of travelers

Nearby hotels: Hotel Darshan, Savoy, Rosewood

Nearby restaurants: Bollywood Café, Lemon Grass Restaurant, Lazy Mongoose

How to reach: You can hire a cab or an auto rickshaw to reach here

8. Go for Safari at Mudumalai National Park: A Fascinating Trip to the Wildlife Reserve

You can’t imagine a vacation without a trip to the wildlife reserve there. The Mudumalai National Park in Ooty is an incredibly fun and adventurous location. You can choose between a jeep safari, bus safari or elephant safari and enjoy the views of the forest and the wildlife that you’ll encounter on the way. There are almost 500 endangered species here along with common animals, such as langurs, elephants, and so on. Its tiger population is also quite popular. This is one of the things to do in Ooty with family because this activity is best enjoyed with a group of people.

Timings: 6 A.M to 6 P.M

Fee: Around INR 30 and additional charges for safari

Duration: 4 to 5 hours  

Distance from Ooty: Approx. 29 km

Ideal for: Families, group of travelers

Tips: Don’t disturb the wild animals and don’t wear bright colors

Nearby hotels: Safari Land Villa, InnTheWild, Avadale Masinagudi

Nearby restaurants: Navaruchi, Sara’s Kitchen Restaurant, Hotel Grand View

How to reach: You can board a bus to the park

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9. Stop By the Pine Tree Forest: Revel in Bollywood Feels at this Forest

One of the major attractions in Ooty is this pine tree forest, which is the shooting location for several Bollywood movies, including Qayamat se Qayamat Tak, Dil Se, Sadma, and many more. Even if you aren’t a Bollywood buff, this location is quite surreal with tall pine trees and alluring Nilgiri hills surrounding it. You can spend some peaceful downtime here and reminisce in the Bollywood feels all around you. So include spending time here as one of the things to do in Ooty.

Timings: 8 A.M to 6 P.M

Fee: Around INR 5

Duration: 1 to 2 hours  

Distance from Ooty: Approx. 7.8 km

Ideal for: Families, group of travelers, couples

Nearby hotels: Mountain Retreat, Sterling Fern Hill, Sherlock Hotel

Nearby restaurants: Taj Savoy, Thalassery Restaurant, Hornbill Restaurant

How to reach: You can access this place via a taxi or a bus

10. Enjoy the Kotagiri Trek: An Adventure Junkie’s Favorite Activity

Trekking is an adventure in India, which is widely enjoyed by adventure lovers, and a trip to Ooty would be incomplete without a trek in the Kotagiri hills. This path is one of the most ideal paths for trekking covered with a bountiful of flora and fauna. The hill is at a height of 5,890 ft. and the mesmerizing view from the top would make it all worthwhile. It’s better to start the trek early in the morning to reach your end point on time. You’d fall in love with this city as you make your way to the top.

Best time to visit: Early in the morning

Start and End Point: Kotagiri to Kodanad View Point

Duration: 1 to 2 hours  

Distance from Ooty: Approx. 29 km

Ideal for: Families, group of travelers

Tips: Wear comfortable clothes and shoes, carry woolen jackets, a torch with extra batteries, and a first aid kit for emergencies

Nearby hotels: Teanest Nightingale, Green Nest Forest, Garuda Park Resort

Nearby restaurants: Silver Tip Café, Tea County Restaurant, Café Diem

How to reach: You can hire a taxi to reach this location

Ooty is both a person’s solace and an adventurer’s paradise. The things to do in Ooty capture the essence of its strengths and you can get to see the best of both worlds. So, you can indulge in any activity for the thrill of it, but you’d also be rewarded with breathtaking views and surroundings. It’s difficult to find a better place than this, so without a beat, plan a vacation to this gorgeous destination with our Ooty tour packages.  

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